We would need to get a young player who is either already an All-Star or shows the promise to become an All-Star. Because that is what Al Jefferson is. I’m not the only one who thinks so — read just about any analysis of him and the Wolves by a respected source and you’ll read the same thing.

Jefferson is much more valuable than Horford because his skills are a) more important and b) less common. There are a lot of players around the league that can provide energy and defense. There are very few that can be consistently relied upon to score baskets down the stretch of a game. If the Wolves had enough talent to play in more close games, this would become more obvious.

Last night, Carmelo Anthony (another guy often criticized for defense and passing) showed why he’s now an MVP candidate. He totally dominated with his scoring down the stretch and his team won at Portland. I’m sure there have been a lot of Denver fans that pined for a less-talented, more defensive-oriented player in his position in the past. Had they traded him (and it sounds like they almost did, at one point) they would have gotten pennies on the dollar.

This isn’t college ball. There is less ball movement and more need for guys that can score one-on-one and command double teams. I’m not saying that energy/hustle guys aren’t important, but they are more common and have less importance in any given ballgame. If that weren’t the case, Corey Brewer would be valued higher than Rudy Gay. But, that just isn’t reality.

I’d trade Al for Brook Lopez right now, I wouldn’t even think twice.

First off, just to be clear, I’m referring to the Jefferson that played last year. He looked bad the other night, and I’m assuming that’s due to rehabbing the knee and whatnot. Most guys recover well from ACL tears, so I’m assuming he’ll fall in that group.

With regard to system, it’s sort of important, but not really. Two reasons: (1) The talent drop is too significant to make the system matter. Monta Ellis is a perfect guard for an up-tempo system. But you still wouldn’t trade Kobe Bryant for him. Same with Jefferson and Horford. (2) Systems, aside from 7SOL in New York, are mostly the same. Rambis and Kahn can talk about fast breaking until their heads spin, but it won’t change the fact that the NBA is first a half-court league, and (distant) second, a fast break league.

The anti-Jefferson crowd seems to have an obsession with players that cannot be relied upon to score. Rather than have a lineup of players like Carmelo Anthony and Al Jefferson, they’d rather have Marvin Williams and Kevin Love. The anti-Jefferson crowd did not watch the Wolves without Jefferson, last year. Or they weren’t paying attention. Or something. That basketball, with a bunch of scrappy guys that can’t get their own shot, is not fun. It sucks when you need to pass 17 times just to get a Bassy trey in the corner. Kevin Love, for all his hustle and willingness to pass, does nothing to draw defensive attention and create easy shots. He needs guys like Jefferson to do that. Horford can’t help there, either.

It’s just too easy to defend a team of non-scorers. Nobody gets double teamed, and you’re going to take a lot of off-balance shots.

It’s not just 7 game series, it’s 82 games a year. And forgive me if I’m not ready to call a guy who has one game under his belt a sure thing to take on that role.

“Go to offensive players don’t grow on trees, but I don’t think it is too much to expect that we can find one that fits into our system as well.”

We’ve found either one or two in 20 years, depending how you want to classify Al.